BY ALICIA DORSET
Clarkston News Staff Writer
‘Really nice.? ‘Wanted freedom.? ‘A good guy.?
These were just some of the words that appeared on the dry erase board in Kathy Noble’s second grade classroom as students at Bailey Lake Elementary celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, Jan. 19.
‘We talked about Dr. King and how we can be more like him,? Noble said. ‘We discussed what we could learn from him.?
Second graders spent the morning switching classrooms to learn various aspects of King’s life and achievements.
All students started the day with a version of King’s ‘I Have a Dream? speech recorded by students and teachers. The moving rendition brought tears to some who saw it.
Noble had students create a banner of positive things King was known for. Students then took their banners home to display in their rooms.
Leading up to the holiday itself, Noble went over stories with her students about the Civil Rights pioneer.
Next door, Jennifer Lambouris had students sing a song about King in addition to hearing a story about his life. Students were amazed that at one point time separate facilities existed for different races.
‘The kids have a pretty good idea on some of the background,? Lambouris said. ‘They’re familiar with topics like the bus strikes and why they happened.?
The work of King meant something different to each student.
‘He really helped everyone,? Taylor Jacob, a second grade student, said.
Students worked together on worksheets that compared what King would or would not have done in certain social situations. Lambouris reminded students as they worked that everyone has something good inside of them.
As students passed classes, they were reminded what an amazing man King was and to try and keep him alive in themselves every day.